72 HOURS UNTIL TRIALS
Eternal Bond’s war room at midnight looked like a military operation center.
Screens showing building schematics. Personnel files. Equipnt manifests. dical supply chains. Security cara feeds. Every system involved in champion trials under microscopic review.
Sekar stood at the center, coordinating eight teams simultaneously.
"dical team—re-verify every piece of equipnt. Serial numbers. Manufacturers. Chain of custody. If anything was delivered in the last two weeks, flag it for inspection."
"Security team—background checks on every staff mber with trial access. Cross-reference with Dragon’s Gate connections. Even distant ones."
"Tech team—audit all System interface equipnt. Look for unauthorized modifications. Firmware tampering. Data logging that shouldn’t exist."
Rama watched her work with admiration. Guild Master Sekar was terrifying when protecting her people.
Hendra (Vice GM) approached with updates. "We’ve found three issues so far. One dical scanner delivered last week—manufacturer confirms the order but can’t verify the delivery driver. One support staff mber whose cousin works for Dragon’s Gate. And one piece of System interface equipnt with firmware dated two days after official release."
"Three potential sabotage points in twelve hours," Sekar said. "How many more are we missing?"
"Unknown. But we’re checking everything. If Arif planted sabotage, we’ll find it."
"Before trials begin," Rama added. "Not after. We can’t discover sabotage by losing candidates."
Sri entered with a tablet. "Guild Master. We have a problem. Family of one candidate—Budi—just withdrew their son from trials. They received an anonymous ssage claiming trials have been sabotaged. That mortality rate will be thirty percent instead of fifteen. They’re terrified."
"How many other families received this ssage?" Sekar asked.
"Seven so far. Two more candidates just withdrew. We’re down to thirty-eight."
"Arif’s pressure campaign," Rama said. "Scare families. Reduce candidate pool. Make us desperate enough to accept Dragon’s Gate’s help."
"Then we counter it." Sekar grabbed her phone. "I’m calling all forty families. Personal assurance from Guild Master. Explaining our security asures. Offering full transparency on what we’re doing to ensure safety."
"That might not be enough," Sri warned. "Anonymous sabotage threats are effective because they’re unfalsifiable. We can’t prove trials are safe until they’re complete."
"Then I’ll be honest. Tell families we found potential sabotage points. That we’re eliminating them systematically. That we’re doing everything possible to keep mortality at expected rates." Sekar looked at Rama. "Truth builds trust better than false reassurance."
"Agreed. Transparency over comfort."
Sekar spent the next three hours on calls. Forty families. Personal conversations. Honest about sabotage threats, security asures, her commitnt to candidate safety.
By 3 AM, they’d recovered one withdrawn candidate. Two others remained withdrawn—families too scared despite reassurances.
Thirty-nine candidates. Down from forty. But better than losing more.
60 HOURS UNTIL TRIALS
Yanto arrived at dawn with intelligence files on Arif Santoso.
"Forr military intelligence. Specialized in asset denial—preventing enemies from using valuable resources. After military, went private. Dragon’s Gate hired him three years ago." Yanto pulled up operational histories. "Seventeen docunted operations. All successful. thods vary—blackmail, leverage, creating dependencies, sabotage, occasionally violence."
"Violence?" Sekar asked sharply.
"Three incidents. All deniable. All where targets refused cooperation and needed to be... encouraged." Yanto’s expression was grim. "Arif doesn’t kill directly. He creates situations where accidents happen. Equipnt failures. dical complications. Things that look natural."
"Like trial sabotage making deaths look like expected casualties," Rama said.
"Exactly. If ten candidates die instead of six, everyone assus bad luck. Trials are dangerous. People die. Who can prove sabotage versus natural System rejection?"
"We can," Sekar said. "With proper docuntation. dical monitoring. Post-incident analysis. If casualties exceed expected rates, we investigate thoroughly. Make findings public. Dragon’s Gate can’t hide behind plausible deniability if we’re docunting everything."
"That requires candidates to die first," Rama pointed out. "I’d rather prevent deaths than investigate them afterward."
"Agreed. Prevention priority." Sekar looked at Yanto. "What else do we know about Arif’s thods?"
"He works through proxies. Never direct action. Always layers of separation. Finding the sabotage is hard. Connecting it to him is harder. Proving Dragon’s Gate ordered it is nearly impossible."
"But finding the sabotage is enough," Rama said. "We don’t need to prove Dragon’s Gate’s involvent. We just need to prevent candidate deaths."
"Then focus on equipnt and personnel. Those are Arif’s usual vectors." Yanto highlighted sections of his files. "Equipnt sabotage—modifications that cause failures under stress. Personnel sabotage—bribes or blackmail to make mistakes during critical monts. dical sabotage—contaminated supplies, incorrect dications, delayed ergency response."
"We’re checking all of that," Sekar confird. "What else?"
"System interface tampering. That’s newer in Arif’s playbook but he’s used it twice successfully. Modifying the equipnt that connects candidates to the System during trials. Making the connection unstable. Increasing rejection rates."
Rama and Sekar exchanged looks.
"The firmware anomaly we found," Rama said. "System interface equipnt dated two days after official release."
"That’s the sabotage point," Yanto agreed. "Almost certainly. Arif’s signature move—small modifications that look like software updates but actually destabilize System connections."
"Then we replace that equipnt," Sekar decided. "Use backup units. Verified clean."
"Already ordered," Hendra reported, entering the room. "New equipnt arrives in six hours. We’ll swap out everything with firmware irregularities."
"Good. What about personnel?"
"The support staff with Dragon’s Gate connections has been reassigned. No trial access. We’ve also increased background check depth—anyone with even distant rival guild ties gets extra scrutiny."
"dical supplies?"
"All equipnt delivered in the last month is being replaced with freshly verified stock. Chain of custody docunted at every step. If soone tries to contaminate, we’ll know imdiately."
Sekar nodded, satisfied. "We’re covering the obvious vectors. What about non-obvious ones?"
"Those are harder to predict," Yanto admitted. "Arif adapts. If traditional sabotage is blocked, he finds creative alternatives."
"Like what?"
"Psychological warfare. Stressing candidates before trials. Sleep deprivation. Anxiety induction. Anything that compromises ntal state increases trial mortality."
"The anonymous ssages to families," Rama realized. "That’s psychological warfare on candidates. Making them doubt. Making them scared. Compromising their ntal state before trials even begin."
"Exactly. Scared, stressed candidates have higher failure rates. Even without physical sabotage, ntal sabotage increases deaths."
"Then we counter it." Sekar made notes. "Mandatory counseling for all candidates. Group sessions. Individual support. Address fears directly. Build confidence. Ensure ntal preparation matches physical preparation."
"Thirty-nine candidates," Sri said. "We can manage individual attention at that number. Rotate psychologists, combat trainers, dical staff. Keep candidates supported and confident."
"Do it. Starting today. I want every candidate eting with support staff daily until trials begin."
48 HOURS UNTIL TRIALS
The new System interface equipnt arrived. Tech team spent twelve hours installing, calibrating, verifying. Every connection tested. Every firmware version confird.
anwhile, candidates underwent intensive support sessions.
Rama sat in on several. Watching how they handled fear, pressure, doubt.
Dewi was nervous but determined. "I know the risks. I know so of us won’t make it. But I also know that if I succeed, I beco sothing more. Sothing necessary. Worth the risk."
Sari, the daughter of the crying mother, was shaking. "My mom is terrified. She made promise to withdraw if I got too scared. And I am scared. But I’m also... ready? I don’t know how to explain it. Scared and ready at the sa ti."
"That’s normal," Rama assured her. "Fear ans you understand the stakes. Ready ans you’re committed despite fear. That combination produces the best Champions."
A male candidate nad Adi was angry. "I heard about the sabotage threats. Dragon’s Gate trying to kill us to force cooperation. If I die because of their gas—" He cut himself off. "My family better sue them into oblivion."
"You’re not going to die," Rama said with certainty. "We’ve found the sabotage points. Eliminated them. What remains is natural trial risk. Fifteen percent. Six candidates statistically. But I’m going to do everything possible to minimize even that."
"Can you see it? In your visions? Which of us survive?"
"No. System visions show possibilities, not certainties. The future changes based on choices made now. Who survives depends on ntal preparation, physical readiness, System compatibility, and luck. I can’t predict individuals. But I can create optimal conditions for everyone."
Adi nodded slowly. "Then create them. We’re trusting you."
"I know. I won’t let you down."
By evening, all thirty-nine candidates had received counseling, support, and direct assurance from Rama and Sekar.
ntal states improved. Confidence rebuilt. Fear acknowledged but managed.
The psychological warfare was being countered.
36 HOURS UNTIL TRIALS
Dragon’s Gate made their next move.
A public statent. Released to major dia. Carefully worded.
STATENT FROM DRAGON’S GATE GUILD
"Dragon’s Gate has beco aware of concerning safety issues regarding Eternal Bond’s upcoming champion trials. We offered partnership and resource sharing to ensure candidate safety. This offer was rejected.
We respect Eternal Bond’s independence. However, we cannot in good conscience remain silent about potential safety compromises. We encourage independent safety audits of trial procedures. Candidate welfare must take priority over guild politics.
Dragon’s Gate stands ready to provide dical support, System expertise, and safety consultation if requested. Our doors remain open for cooperation in the interest of candidate safety."
The statent was masterful. Positioning Dragon’s Gate as concerned about safety. Eternal Bond as reckless and political. Creating public pressure.
Social dia exploded.
#TrialSafety trended within hours.
#ProtectTheCandidates erged as rallying cry.
Public opinion shifted—so still supported Eternal Bond, but others questioned whether guild rivalry was endangering candidates.
Sekar read the statent and smiled coldly.
"Arif’s work. Professional. Effective. Making us look dangerous while they look caring."
"They’re creating pressure," Sri said. "If trials have higher mortality, public blas us. If we accept their help, they get leverage. Win-win for Dragon’s Gate."
"Unless we prove trials are safe AND successful without their help," Rama countered. "Then the statent backfires. Makes them look like fear-mongerers."
"That requires perfect execution," Hendra warned. "Six deaths maximum. Preferably fewer. If we lose eight, ten, twelve—Dragon’s Gate’s concerns look justified."
"Then we execute perfectly." Sekar stood. "I’m issuing our own statent. Transparent. Detailed. Showing every safety asure we’ve implented. Every sabotage point we’ve eliminated. Every candidate support system we’ve built."
She drafted it personally. Released it two hours later.
STATENT FROM ETERNAL BOND GUILD
"Eternal Bond appreciates Dragon’s Gate’s concern for candidate safety. However, we must address the facts:
Dragon’s Gate offered ’partnership’ only after aggressive recruitnt of our Champion was rejected. Their sudden safety concerns erged only after their recruitnt failed.
We take candidate safety seriously. In the past 72 hours, we have:
Replaced all equipnt delivered in the last monthRe-verified dical supplies with docunted chain of custodyImplented enhanced background checks on all support staffProvided daily counseling and support for all candidatesEliminated three potential sabotage points identified in our systems
Our trials proceed with comprehensive safety asures, transparent docuntation, and full candidate support. We welco independent audits AFTER trials complete—results will speak for themselves.
Candidate welfare is our priority. Guild politics are irrelevant to that mission."
The counter-statent was effective. Showing proactive safety asures. Acknowledging sabotage threats openly. Demonstrating competence.
Public opinion stabilized. The narrative shifted from "Eternal Bond is reckless" to "Guild rivalry is creating drama but Eternal Bond seems prepared."
Not perfect. But manageable.
24 HOURS UNTIL TRIALS
Final preparations consud the entire guild.
dical bays prepared. System interface equipnt calibrated. Support staff briefed. Ergency protocols reviewed. Backup systems tested.
Rama spent the day with candidates. Final checks. Last-minute questions. Personal reassurances.
"Tomorrow, trials begin," he told the assembled thirty-nine. "So of you won’t make it. That’s the reality. The System judges worthiness through ordeal. Not everyone survives judgnt."
Silence. Fear. But also determination.
"But I promise you this—every safety asure possible is in place. Every sabotage threat eliminated. Every support system active. What remains is you and the System. Your worthiness tested fairly. No external interference. No political gas. Just pure trial."
"And if we fail?" soone asked quietly.
"If you fail, you’ll be honored. Rembered. Your sacrifice will contribute to humanity’s survival by proving the path for others. You’re pioneers. Win or lose, you matter."
Dewi raised her hand. "And if we succeed?"
"If you succeed, you beco Champions. You gain abilities that let you coordinate teams perfectly. See threats before they manifest. Save hundreds of lives through superior perception. You beco exactly what humanity needs for the void war."
"Thirty-three days," Adi said. "Until the Herald."
"Thirty-three days. And when it arrives, successful candidates will be Champions ready to fight. Ready to coordinate. Ready to save lives." Rama looked at each candidate. "That’s why you volunteered. That’s why you’re risking everything. Because you believe in sothing bigger than yourselves."
Affirmatives around the room. Fear remained. But so did purpose.
"Get sleep tonight. Rest. Prepare ntally. Tomorrow at dawn, trials begin. And we’ll find out who the System judges worthy."
The candidates dispersed to quarters. Families waiting. Final goodbyes. Last monts before everything changed.
Rama and Sekar stood alone in the trial chamber.
"Tomorrow," she said quietly. "Thirty-nine candidates. Six expected deaths. Maybe fewer if we’re lucky. Maybe more if Arif has sabotage we missed."
"We found everything. I’m certain."
"How can you be certain?"
"Because I’ve seen what Arif-level sabotage looks like. In the visions. In possible futures. This tiline—the safety asures we implented, the equipnt we replaced, the personnel we screened—matches the successful tiline. The one where casualties stay at expected levels."
"You can see that? The successful tiline?"
"I can see multiple possibilities. I’m making sure we’re on the right one."
Sekar leaned against him. "Tomorrow, so of those candidates die. People we’ve been supporting. Protecting. Preparing. And we have to watch it happen. Accept it as necessary."
"Yes."
"How do you do it? Accept necessary deaths?"
"By rembering unnecessary deaths. In the visions where we didn’t prepare. Where void entities arrived and millions died. Six deaths tomorrow saves thousands later. The math is clear."
"Math doesn’t make it easier."
"No. But partnership does." He wrapped his arms around her. "We carry the weight together. Always."
"Together," she agreed. "Through trials. Through deaths. Through whatever cos."
They stood in the trial chamber, the space that would test thirty-nine candidates tomorrow, where six would likely die, where Champions would be born.
The stakes were clear. The preparation was complete. The sabotage was eliminated.
What remained was execution.
And faith that the System would judge fairly.
Rama’s phone buzzed at midnight. Unknown number. Against his better judgnt, he checked it.
Unknown:Impressive safety asures. You found most of my work. But not all. Trials begin in 7 hours. Sleep well. You’ll need the energy for damage control tomorrow. -A.S.
Arif’s ssage was clear. He still had sabotage in place. Sothing they’d missed.
Rama showed Sekar. Her expression went from exhausted to alert.
"He’s bluffing. Trying to shake us. Make us doubt our preparations."
"Maybe. Or maybe we missed sothing."
"We checked everything. Equipnt. Personnel. dical supplies. System interfaces. Background checks. What’s left?"
"I don’t know. But Arif’s confident. That suggests—"
His phone buzzed again. Different number. ssage from Yanto.
Yanto:Ergency. Just discovered—one of your candidates isn’t who they claim to be. False identity. Real person is Dragon’s Gate plant. They’re inside your trial group.
Rama’s blood went cold.
"Sekar. We have a bigger problem."
He showed her Yanto’s ssage.
Her eyes widened. "A plant. Inside the candidate group. Soone who’ll sabotage from within during trials."
"That’s Arif’s final move. Not equipnt. Not personnel. The candidates themselves. One of the thirty-nine is Dragon’s Gate’s agent."
"Which one?"
"Yanto’s investigating. But trials start in seven hours. If we don’t identify and remove them before then—"
"They sabotage from inside. Cause casualties beyond expected rates. Make trials look deadly and incompetent. Force us to accept Dragon’s Gate’s help."
They stared at each other, the implications sinking in.
Seven hours. Thirty-nine candidates. One secret agent planning sabotage from within.
Find them in ti, trials proceed safely.
Miss them, catastrophe.
The countdown had begun.
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